Electrically activated latch for aircraft stowage bins
AssigneeBE Intellectual Property, Inc.
InventorsFrank E. HASHBERGER, Clarence IVESTER
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electrically activated latch for aircraft stowage bins includes an overhead stowage bin module having a stationary support structure and a movable stowage bin portion. An electrically operated stowage bin latch mechanism latches the movable stowage bin portion in a closed position and unlatches the movable stowage bin portion to an open position. An electrically operated stowage bin activation switch operates the stowage bin latch mechanism, allowing the aircraft stowage bins to be locked by independently controlling the overhead stowage bins through the aircraft cabin management system, or by control of the latch by the stowage bin activation switch.
Claims20
An overhead stowage bin module electronic latching system for an aircraft, comprising:
- an overhead stowage bin module including a stationary support structure and a movable stowage bin portion cooperatively connected to the stationary support structure for movement in relation to said stationary support structure, said movable stowage bin portion being movable between an open position and a closed position, and said movable stowage bin portion forming an enclosure with said stationary support structure for stowage of items in said closed position;
- a stowage bin latch mechanism connected to said overhead stowage bin module and configured to latch said movable stowage bin portion in the closed position and to unlatch said movable stowage bin portion to be released to said open position;
- and
- a stowage bin activation switch connected to said stowage bin latch mechanism and configured operate the stowage bin latch mechanism.
An overhead stowage bin module electronic latching system for an aircraft having an aircraft electrical system, comprising:
- an overhead stowage bin module including a stationary support structure and a movable stowage bin portion cooperatively connected to the stationary support structure for movement in relation to said stationary support structure, said movable stowage bin portion being movable downward and upward with respect to said stationary support structure between an open position and a closed position, and said movable stowage bin portion forming an enclosure with said stationary support structure for stowage of items in said closed position;
- a stowage bin latch mechanism connected to said overhead stowage bin module and configured to latch said movable stowage bin portion in the closed position and to unlatch said movable stowage bin portion to be released to said open position;
- a stowage bin activation switch connected to said stowage bin latch mechanism and configured operate the stowage bin latch mechanism;
- and
- electrical wiring connected to the aircraft electrical system and said stowage bin activation switch and configured to receive electrical power from the aircraft electrical system, and wherein said stowage bin activation switch is configured to receive the electrical power via the electrical wiring from the aircraft electrical system for operation of the stowage bin latch mechanism.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.